Richard Lovelace
"To Lucasta, Going to the Wars"
Lovelace (1617-1657)
English Cavalier poet
- Known for political ideals
- Wrote on behalf of the king
- Wrote about the pleasures of love and sex
- Known for having many romantic relationships
- Handsome
- Gentlemanly
- Well-educated
- Repeatedly sent to jail for political activities
- Wrote "To Lucasta, Going to the Wars,” and “To Althea, From Prison” while in jail
"To Lucasta, Going to the Wars"
Tell me not (Sweet) I am unkind,
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To war and arms I fly.
True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.
Yet this inconstancy is such
As you too shall adore;
I could not love thee (Dear) so much,
Lov’d I not Honour more.
Explained
Lyric poem
- Iambic tetrameter & trimeter
- Light, pleasant tone
- Uses alliteration, anaphora, and metaphor
Published in 1649
Describes the emotions of choosing war over love
- Unknown subject
- May have been Lucy Sacheverell
- Lovelace fell in love and nicknamed Lux Casta (pure light)
- After he left her for war, she found another man to love
Never Let Go - Bryan Adams
Can you lay your life down,
so a stranger can live?
Can you take what you need
but take less than you give?
Could you close everyday
without the glory and fame?
Could you hold your head high
when no one knows your name?
That's how legends are made,
at least that's what they say
We say goodbye but never let go
We live, we die 'cause you can't save every soul
Gotta take every chance
to show that you're the kinda man
Who will never look back,
never look down and never let go
Can you lose everything,
you ever had planned?
Can you sit down again
and play another hand?
Could you risk everything
for the chance of being alone?
Under pressure find the grace
or would you come undone?
That's how legends are made,
at least that's what they say?
We say goodbye, but never let go
We live, we die 'cause you can't save every soul
Gotta take every chance
to show that you're the kinda man
Who will never look back,
never look down and never let go
Never let go, never let go, never let go
Gotta take every chance
to show that you're the kinda man
Who will never look back,
never look down and never let go
We say goodbye but never let go
We live, we die but you can't save every soul
Gotta take every chance
to show that you're the kinda man
Who will never look back,
never look down and never let go
Will never look back, never look down and never let go
Never let go, never let go, never let go
Citations
- "To Lucasta, Going to the Wars." Poetry for Students. Ed. Sara Constantakis. Vol. 32. Detroit: Gale, 2010. 290-306. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
- Shmoop Editorial Team. "To Lucasta, Going to the Wars." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
- "Richard Lovelace." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
- "Bryan Adams." - Never Let Go Lyrics. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.